The seedy bar was crowded with patrons from everywhere in the galaxy. Many of the visitors continued to wear their environmental support gear in case the atmospheric processors of the bar failed and let in the toxic air of the planet, consuming their drinks through specially designed tubes. Spacesuits and anatomy varied widely among the aliens, but one thing was common among them all; everyone was armed. The bar, known as The Rift, was a haven for black market operations, illegal weapon trades, and stim smuggling. Criminals, bounty hunters, and law enforcement frequently clashed here, so everyone came prepared for a fight certain to break out sooner or later.

On this particular night, it came in the form of a military patrol searching for one of their former members. The airlock cycled with a noisy hum prior to the hatch opening. Every conversation immediately halted, every eye looked toward the airlock, and more than a few aliens reached for their weapons as three Space Rangers walked in.

Clad in pristine armor and clear dome helmets, they were easily recognizable as the white armor had green paint across the torso and shoulders that glowed in the dim light of the bar. Additional trim of glowing green marked the gauntlets and boots of the armor. The winged emblem of Star Command was prominently displayed on their chest armor beside golden name badges. The torso section didn't extend all the way down to the waist, leaving a flexible black under suit visible across each warrior's midsection for greater maneuverability in the bulky armor.

One of the Rangers flipped open a forearm cover-plate and accessed the built in computer system to do a scan of the area before nodding the others in the direction of the back corner of the bar. In the silence, their armored boots thumped loudly against the deck plating.

Sitting with his back to the corner where he could observe the entire bar while remaining mostly unseen in the shadows, the man they'd been searching for watched the Space Rangers approach with a bored expression on his face. With large eyes and a prominent chin, Buzz Lightyear was easily recognizable by anyone who knew him, even though it had been several years since he'd left the Space Ranger Corps to pursuit his own agenda. The drink he held in one gloved hand was more to fit in among the other patrons than because he was actually interested in consuming the alien brew. He'd had it for the past hour without even tasting it.

"Buzz Lightyear?" one of the Rangers asked without really needing confirmation as Buzz was still wearing his Space Ranger armor. It wasn't as pristine as those worn by the three in front of him as it was covered in scratches, dents, and laser scorch marks. Buzz didn't answer. He looked up toward the rangers before returning his gaze to his untouched drink.

"Star Command has issued orders for your reinstatement," the first Ranger explained. "You are to report back at once."

"No," Buzz denied. He didn't look at them while he spoke, turning his glass on the table to examine the points of condensation on its exterior surface as if they held some vital clue he was searching for. "I will not."

"You swore an oath to the Space Ranger Corp," the ranger, identified as Quasar by his gold nameplate, reminded. "When Star Command gives an order, you obey."

"Rangers take orders from Star Command," Buzz said softly, still refusing to look at his former comrades. "Star Command takes orders from the Galactic Alliance. I take orders from neither. I resigned, remember?"

"Your oath of service stays in effect as long as you are alive," Quasar stated firmly, grinding his teeth slightly in the process.

"I didn't say I wouldn't serve," Buzz countered. "I only said I don't follow their orders anymore."

Buzz set down his drink with a thud on the durafoam surface of the table. His gaze shifted to the three Rangers.

"Emperor Zurg, sworn enemy of the Galactic Alliance, what has been done about him?" Buzz asked calmly.

"We've thwarted his schemes many times," Quasar answered.

"True," Buzz agreed. "He invades, and the Space Rangers risk life and limb to drive him and his forces back. He attacks innocent planets, and we race to defend and liberate them. Time and time again he causes trouble, and we struggle to push him back and pick up the pieces afterwards, but the man himself is untouched. He receives no penalty for the damage done or the harm caused."

"His domain is beyond the borders of the Galactic Alliance," Quasar reminded.

"So, they let him continue to scheme and plot for his next strike against us," Buzz pointed out. "They've even ordered the Space Ranger Corps not to engage beyond the border of the galaxy."

"It's not our jurisdiction," Quasar replied.

"How can we win when those in charge have gravity-tethered us to the ground?" Buzz demanded. "The threat will never end until Zurg is dealt with. If the Alliance is unwilling to take action, I will."

Buzz stood from his chair and stepped forward to put his chest armor against that of Quasar, even pushing slightly to make the man off balance.

"If a bunch of politicians would rather sit on their hands than to ensure justice, safety, and security for their people, I see no reason why I should continue to follow them," Buzz said flatly. "I'm going to fight this war however I can. The threat of Zurg will end, and justice will be done."

"One way or another, you will be coming back with us," Quasar responded, raising a hand toward the bicep of his right arm where the controls for his built-in laser were located.

"Did you think I planned to take on Zurg alone?" Buzz asked in disbelief. He lifted his right hand like a student in class trying to get the attention of a teacher. Every hand on a weapon responded to Buzz's silent command, and the Space Rangers found themselves staring down the barrels of more than a dozen guns with more behind them.

"I found many who wish to end Zurg's attacks," Buzz explained. "Criminal and law abiding alike, Zurg is a threat to everyone, so I have many allies who want to see him gone."

Quasar and the other two Rangers looked around, finding themselves massively outnumbered. Buzz approached them and pressed a rectangular button on the front of Quasar's torso armor to activate the communication link.

"Star Command, come in," Buzz called.

"Star Command here," replied a voice through a hiss of static. "We read you, Quasar. Go ahead."

"This is Buzz Lightyear," Buzz announced. "I'm doing what the Galactic Alliance won't let you do, taking the fight to the enemy. Your request for my return has been considered and rejected. You need not send any more Rangers with further offers or incentives. The three you sent will be returned. This courtesy will not be repeated."

Buzz released the communication button and stepped back, pointing to the airlock. "I believe you know your way out."

"Star Command won't let this go," Quasar warned. "They'll send a larger force next time."

"Star Command has its hands full defending the galaxy," Buzz countered. "The very fact they want me back shows they need qualified help. It'd be stupid to waste valuable personnel coming after me. Even if I could be captured, it wouldn't gain my assistance, and my resistance up to the point of capture would cost them greatly. If they have any brains in this matter, they'll do what they've always done - nothing."

The airlock closed behind the departing Rangers, but not a single weapon was holstered until after the atmospheric cycle was complete and no possibility existed for them coming back in unexpectedly.

"Start loading the ships," Buzz ordered.

A green skinned alien with large compound eyes of the darkest black on either side of its flat head approached Buzz and gurgled something in its native dialect. The translator in Buzz's suit delivered the interpretation to his earpiece.

"I said Star Command wouldn't do anything if they had brains," Buzz explained. "But, if they had brains, they would've taken down Zurg years ago instead of bowing to a bunch of politicians in the Galactic Alliance. They're going to come for me just so no one else gets the idea of leaving the ranks. They have to make an example of me, and I'd rather not be here when they arrive."

The alien nodded its head and moved away to begin gathering whatever it needed for departure.

Hours passed while Buzz and his allies prepped for launch, but they were still on the ground when the Space Rangers arrived. Although Buzz had been planning on Star Command sending reinforcements to impose their orders, he hadn't expected it so quickly. Two dozen ships dropped out of hyperspace and began to burn their way through the atmosphere as they descended to the planetary surface.

"If we blast them before they land, we wouldn't have to fight them at all," came a suggestion through Buzz's earpiece.

Buzz pressed the switch on his armor for local communication with his forces. "No one fires until I give the order. The Space Rangers are most likely still in hypersleep; if they're going to die, it will be awake and on the field of battle. Anyone violates my order, and I'll shoot them myself."

Silence filled the air as no one wanted to defy him at this time. Buzz knelt behind the supply crate that hadn't been loaded aboard a transport ship yet, using it for cover. Aiming toward the estimated landing area of the incoming ships, he poised his left hand above the red control on his upper right arm, ready to fire his laser if necessary.

The ships used by the Space Rangers were small, single unit craft. Pod shaped with a pair of stubby wings protruding from the flanks near the tail of the ship, three aft pointing engines powered the vessels through the atmosphere on trails of bright fire, only slowing when near their destination. As the pods settled to the rocky soil with dull thumps, the clear canopies over the cockpits hissed as they swung upward and allowed the occupants to disembark.

Space Rangers in pristine white armor jumped from their ships and landed in the dirt with sure footing and practiced efficiency, deploying their entire force in only a few seconds. However, after their arrival, they made no additional movements. None of the Rangers reached for the arm mounted controls of their lasers, and no one took so much as a single step toward the defenders under Buzz's command.

"Hold positions," Buzz ordered. Hitting the large red button on his chest armor, Buzz deployed a pair of wings from the jetpack on his back. A red light was mounted to his left wingtip and a green was located on his right. The two lights took turns blinking in sequence. When the jetpack activated, Buzz flew across the landing area and away from his own troops to close in on the Rangers.

Even though the Space Rangers saw him coming, they still took no action, remaining as still as statues.

"State your purpose in coming here," Buzz ordered, landing a few feet away from the first Ranger and pressing the button again to retract his wings. The gold nametag identified the silver haired Ranger as Torleen. The two antenna sticking up from her forehead were curled slightly to fit inside the bubble dome of her helmet.

"We were in the sector and picked up your broadcast to Star Command," Torleen replied. "The Rangers under my command have long felt the Galactic Alliance is stuck playing defense. Every time there is an invasion or threat of some kind, we have to scramble to defend against it. We want to be more proactive in dealing with threats before they become serious. If you're taking the fight to the enemy, we wish to join you."

When Torleen snapped to attention and fired off a salute, the twenty-three rangers standing behind her did the same. Buzz returned their salute.

"What are your orders?" Torleen asked.

"We're going after Zurg," Buzz answered. He gestured to his people to stand down. Some of them did so reluctantly as they'd faced off against the Space Rangers before and wanted a confrontation with their former adversaries.

"It's about time," Torleen agreed. "He'll put up a fight."

"Only for a time," Buzz countered. "Once he realizes he can't win, he'll run rather than face his doom."

"Could be a long chase," Torleen pointed out.

"Zurg is determined to escape justice, as he's done so many times before," Buzz responded. "We have to be more determined to ensure he faces justice. Victory will go to the one who has more resolve."

"What about afterwards?" Torleen questioned. "Will you take up with the Space Rangers again? Do you think Star Command would have any of us back?"

"I doubt it," Buzz denied. "We've separated ourselves from the politics of the Galactic Alliance, and I see no reason to allow them to hinder our progress again. Perhaps we should form our own unit and operate outside the system."

"Sounds like you have some long term plans," Torleen observed. "How far are you going to go in your pursuit of justice?"

Buzz smiled. "To infinity - and beyond!"